The Tim Tebow faithful are going to have a tough time with this one: The New York Daily News has consulted more than a dozen of Tebow’s Jets teammates and officials, and their assessment of The Chosen Quarterback is not a kind one.

‘Specialized-use quarterback’

Guard Matt Slauson, who actually had the stones to put his name to his comments, was unequivocal in his support of incumbent quarterback Mark Sanchez, saying the distance between him and backups Tebow and Greg McElroy is “not even close … We don’t really have a choice.” Oh, and about those backups? “We have Greg … and we have an athlete,” Slauson told the Daily News.

The Jets interviewed by the Daily News all played variations on the same tune: Tebow is a gimmick, a specialized-use quarterback, a Wildcatter who wouldn’t be able to handle the game-long grind of the quarterback position. Granted, Tebow did have success in Denver, and he does bring those mysterious “intangibles” that somehow help teams to win games.

‘Tebowmania that will not die’

But anyone expecting Tebow to step into the starting role anytime soon might want to start saving their wishes for Christmas. “It would take extreme poor play [on the part of Sanchez] like a five-interception game” for Tebow to start, said an individual the Daily News termed “a prominent member of the organization.” “Something where it was just ridiculous. It would take Mark to totally just [censored] the bed and become unglued.”

Now, the usual caveats about anonymous sources apply here. In this case, anonymity seems less a need to protect one’s job, and more a veil to express frustration over the Tebowmania that will not die. Still, until the Jets start winning with Sanchez, the calls for Tebow salvation will continue.

Do you think the negative comments about Tim Tebow have some substance in them? OR are his Jets teammates just jealous of all the attention he’s getting?

Even in the dog days of August, we can always count on Tim Tebow to provide a heaping helping of sizzle. The latest issue of GQ, which hits newsstands on August 21, offers an interesting take from a writer who is a Jets fan but not a Tebow fan, and how he is trying to resolve this dilemma.

“This, really, is the root of my beef with Tebowmania: It has nothing to do with football,” writes Devin Gordon. “It’s a sales pitch — a sensation built on evangelism, not ability, powered by people who see a chance to turn the NFL into the next front of the culture war. And now that culture war is coming to my team.”

Compelling stuff. Not just the standard I-love-this-guy/I-hate-this-guy yelling that inevitably comes with any Tebow discussion. Gordon brings some context, texture and complexity to the conversation. But Gordon’s incisive analysis will likely have to settle for the silver medal in the Generating Buzz competition when GQ packages his story with a photo like that. Shirtless Tebow. In a Jesus-like pose. Because there hadn’t been nearly enough hype around the Jets, right?

But let’s face it. Tebow would still be an attraction even if he had ended up in Jacksonville. Even Gordon acknowledges that Tebow has that je ne sais quoi, which is noticeable just from being in his presence.

“The charisma is real, folks,” he writes. “…Tebow smiles the entire time he is surrounded by reporters, no matter what he’s asked, no matter how naked the trap being laid for him, every one of which he dodges, effortlessly, with a soft chuckle. He is clearly enjoying himself. He likes the attention, and not in a craven, needy way. More like: I’m a people person!“

How do you like Tim Tebow’s new and sensational GQ photo? Tell us — is it hot or not?